Re:  CRK-C155-DEV21-134

      Proposed development on the Lee Road

I would like to object to the proposed housing development as the site is an unsuitable area for such a development.

The Lee Road is a designated Green Belt and accordingly further development should not be allowed. So why are we now considering the destruction of part of it?

Any Green Belt is invaluable in this day and age and should be preserved at all costs. The damage to the Biodiversity at this site where flowers, fauna, bird life (owls), trees from a carbon point of view and all the ecosystem that exists there can never be replaced.

Apart from the destruction of such a habitat, the ongoing pollution from the development, caused by cars etc,  cannot be reversed  and so we will have the continuing loss of such an irreplaceable amenity.

The inclusion of a market garden on a part of the site is a misleading as: (a) realistically how many people will actually use it and (b) because some people have their own gardens and (c)others have such busy lives they will not have the time or interest to use it. In the meantime an irreplaceable piece of biodiversity is destroyed.

The straightening of the boundary of the Green Belt is in WHOSE interest?????

Apart from the above serious aspects of this development, there would have to be a big increase in the traffic on the Lee Road which already has too much traffic for the type of road (a narrow country road)that it is. The new developments in Kerry Pike, and bigger developments to come, are causing long backups especially at peak times at both ends of the Lee Road. Neither Wellington bridge nor the Skew bridge at the other end are suitable for those volumes of traffic. Oncoming as well will be The Good Shephard and St. Kevin’s developments at Sunday’s Well.

Even if public transport is increased, the majority of those living in the proposed development will need cars for normal family use because of the steep access to the development and most houses now have two cars these days.

Flooding also has been and will continue to be a problem  on the lee Road which makes it impassable at times. 

The Lee Valley Green Belt is a wonderful amenity both from a biodiversity point of view and as a recreational area for all on both sides of the river. On the Lee Road side, there are walkers, joggers,  runners, people going fishing, dog walkers and a social aspect from such activities. It is safe enough to walk parts of the road but it certainly is at its maximum traffic flow from a safety point of view.

I think we should preserve this Green Belt and the Lee Valley for future generations.

Cait Naughton